Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-29
OUT AT THE PARK.
THE FIRST VISIT OF THE PRESENT
SEASON.
To Weddings Breathing Plaee-Ths Grounds in
Much Better Condition Than
Ever Beire

Yesterday was hardly the day one would
choose for an expedition into the country
in search OF pleasure, but Notwithstanding
the uninyiting character Of the weather
the almost uninterrupted rain and the all
pervading mud--a party Of ten or eleven
gentlemen boarded special car on the
Elm Grove motor line at half-past one
o'clock, and set out for Wheeling Park.
The party consisted of Messrs. L. F. Stifel,
Henry Bieberson, August Rolf, Henry
Stamm, George Hook, Theodore Schneider,
Charles Hirsch, Directors Of the Park As
sociation, and representatives Of the local
departments Of three city newspapers. The
destination Of the party WAS reached IN
GOOD time, and disembarking the gentle
men entered the enclosure and began tour
OF the grounds, which lasted agood portion
of the afternoon.
Those of our citizens who may visit the
Park Sunday, when the annual opening
takes place, win notice many changes and
improvements from last year. All during
the winter, when outdoor work has been
possible, Superintendent Krieger has had
a large force of men busy laying out
new and improving old walks, grading,
sodding, putting down sewers, making
new flower beds, spreading tan bark, and
in many other ways adding to the beauty
and convenience of a locality already
famed for its attractiyeness.
The added beauty Of the Park Is i'm
pressed upon one ct the very entrance.
Just above the dancing pavilion and res
taurant the tangled ma of brush and
foliage which INSTRUCTED the view up the
mound and off toward the house has all
been cleared away, and the trees have been
stripped of their lower branches, leaving
the eve free to wander over the entire east
ern side of the hill. Where the remains
of the old bowling alley stood, just across
the drive from the dancing pavilion, q
large terraced bed of hyacinths now bloom
in all their loneliness, and all that portion
of the Park Is now doubly attractive to the
eye.
Proceeding northward in the direction OF
the cages and enclosures set apart for
small animals and birds, the main foot
path has been widened about three feet
and the hanks nicely sodded, making
travelling upon it, when the park Is
crowded, much more agreeable, while the
washing of earth from the hillside will be
prevented. The enclosures for animals
have all been overhauled, one or two new
ones erected and better distribution oil
the pets made. Five coons have been
located in good quarters little distance
M the hill, and from their boxes IN the
branches of an apple tree one or two Of
these animals lazily watched the party OF
observation. Up near the house, ana
around and above the fountain, the
ground has been cleared of considerable
small brush and thus rendered more open,
while a large number OF patent seats,
painted deep crimson, have been scat
tered beneath the trees.
On the east side of the mound, which IN
former years has all been an open tract OF
orchard, two large enclosures have been
made, and here the deer, which have here
tofore been located in an out-of-the-way
corner of the grounds, will hereafter be
found, The new location Is much better
for the animals than where they were be-
fore, the northeast corner being too damp
for them.
MANY hundred feet of sewers have been
nut down all over the grounds, greatly
improving the drainage.
These are but few of the many changes
and improvements made by Superinten-
dent Krieger and his men. The amountof
work done in the aggregate has been very
large, and it is only by going over the en-
tire Park systematically that one is able to
onnreciate the vast amount
of time and trouble, and
the very considerable outlay of money.
Mr.. August Rolf has been untiring i'll
directing and supervising what has been
done, and Superintendent Krieger has ex-
erted himself to the utmost. The result,
even when viewed through yesterdays
rain, was charming, and Sunday, at the
opening, and later in the season, when
the lilacs and magnolias are in bloom, the
Park will be more delightful than ever,
and more deserving ofthe patronage of the
citizens of Wheeling and vicinity. BY the
way, citizens of Bellaire, will have an OPP
portunity to visit the Park Sunday, via
the Princess, and the ferry and street cars
offer fine facilities TO the people of Bridge
port and Martins Ferry.
At the conclusion of the tour of the
grounds, yesterday, the visitors repaired to
the buildings, where refreshments were
served, cigars smoked, and the light and
airy eight-inch ten pin ball manipulated
for an hour or so, after which the party
returned to town well pleased with the
visit. For courtesies received at the hands
of the Directors, the REGISTER. bows its
acknowledgements.